Raised around the corner from Hawarden Airport, Jamie Harburn has dedicated 15 years to achieving his dream job in his hometown. As an Air Traffic Control Officer (ATCO) for Serco at Hawarden Airport, Jamie loves the unpredictability of his role.
“Every day is different,” Jamie said. “With aircraft departing, arriving and interacting with each other in different ways, the unpredictability makes the job exciting, challenging and even fun!”
“Whether an Air Traffic Controller is working at Hawarden or Heathrow Airport, we use the same phrases, the same rules and the same techniques to achieve a safe, orderly and expeditious flow of air traffic,” Jamie said.
Keen to work in the aviation industry, but with no desire to go to university or to join the Royal Air Force, Jamie focused on a career path that did not require any previous experience, Air Traffic Control. From an entry level role as an Air Traffic Services Assistant at Coventry Airport, Jamie learned how a control tower works. Working alongside an Air Traffic Control Officer Jamie supported them with weather reports and answering the phone.
Coventry Airport closed briefly in 2009 and Jamie was made redundant. When the airport reopened in 2010, Serco was contracted to provide Air Traffic Services and promptly re-hired Jamie in his old role. For the next six years, Jamie built up his experience, training new Assistants, and moving home to work at Hawarden Airport.
As part of their talent progression programme at Hawarden, Serco periodically selects an Assistant to complete the rigorous training required to qualify as an Air Traffic Control Officer. “In 2016 I was selected,” said Jamie. “The initial course was basic in name, but certainly not in nature! As someone who’d been out of education for a decade, I found it quite difficult to be back in the classroom, but I passed with flying colours.”
After completing the 8-week Aerodrome Control Rating Course, student ATCOs get sent to an airfield to put their training into practise. “Serco paid for my courses with the caveat that I would be mobile,” Jamie said. “A role came up in Saint Athan, South Wales, so I moved there with my wife and that’s where I finished my training and formally became an Air Traffic Control Officer.”
Fast forward a few years, and Jamie is still working for Serco as an ATCO, but is now based at Hawarden Airport, enjoying his chosen profession in a location close to his family. Jamie’s dedication to pursuing his career of choice has seen him move around the UK, with training and career support from Serco.
We’re #SercoAndProud to support motivated people like Jamie to impact a better future in aviation.